Box Score


Columbia, Ky. – Kentucky State University men's basketball suffered an 80-78 loss in an exhibition with No. 20 Lindsey Wilson College Tuesday night at the Biggers Sports Center.

KSU was led by junior guard Reggie Breeden and senior guard Malcolm Smith combining for 47 points while the defense applied pressure, forcing 17 Blue Raider turnovers.

Despite a tough first half and trailing 44-29, KSU caught fire midway through the second half, going on a 10-0 run to LWC lead to 66-48 to force a timeout with 9:18 remaining in the contest. The Thorobreds continued their hot streak following the Blue Raider timeout, outscoring the home team 18-6 in the next 5:50 to cut the lead to just six, making the score 72-66 with 3:26 remaining. KSU trimmed the lead down to four following a bucket from junior guard Dorian Jordan, cutting the Blue Raider lead to 72-68. Moments later, Breeden nailed a three-point attempt from the corner to slash the lead to 75-73 with 1:15 remaining in the game. Breeden finished a team-high 25 points.

"We had to pick up our intensity," said Breeden. "We started off the game playing lackadaisically and needed to up the intensity.

With less than a minute left, senior forward Dmitry Utolin netted a free throw, followed by a dunk by junior center Nic Brown to end the Thorobred run and extend the lead to 78-73. KSU cut the lead to two after Smith netted a shot from behind-the-arc to trail 78-76.

The Thorobreds were forced to foul in double-bonus, making the home squad earn the victory from the line. After missing the first attempt, LWC was able to sink the second to make the score 79-76. Breeden was fouled on the inbounds pass and sunk both tries to give the home team a 79-78 advantage with five seconds on the clock.

Despite the surge late into the contest, the Blue Raiders' first half performance was enough to maintain control of the game.

"Our intensity on defense and not settling for jump shots was key to our second half comeback," said first-year head coach Jamaal Jackson. "We were able to pick up the intensity, attack the basket and draw fouls instead of settling for jump shots."

Smith accumulated 22 points, shooting 9-fo-15 floor. Breeden and senior Julius Barton wrapped up the night with six rebounds apiece.

KSU will host the University of the Cumberlands to the Exum Center Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m for the season opener.